Finally got Linux Mint 13 Maya Cinnamon 32 installed on an old Dell Insipron 1300, after figuring out eventually to disable the Broadcom Wifi in BIOS. Left it disabled after install as otherwise macgine would not boot and standard solutions for the B43 issue I could not get to work.

As alternative wifi I'm using Linksys WUSB300N external USB, eventually got that working. I thought I got it connected to a network yesterday, but today no joy (doing nothing in between) so I'm doubting my memory.

Today trying to connect to an Engenia ESR1221N wifi router, I can get onto the network but no internet. Trying from a serpate iPad I get internet fine, so router seems OK. Using an ethernet cable to link same laptop with same router works fine also.

MintWifi hangs at the DHCP section now (even after reboot). It wasn't doing this earlier today though, saying something about "use service instead", and "RATLINK: file exists".

This could also be because your laptop is currently not plugged in with power supply and so the power management on mint screws up your wireless connection by disabling somethings.The following thread viewtopic.php?f=53&t=111658 pointed me to http://uselessuseofcat.com/?p=67 which solved the problem for me.